Degree Programs

The Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health prides itself on the diverse backgrounds of its students and on the commitment they share to making the world a healthier place.

Our degree programs are designed to meet the specific needs of students with varying levels of experience and prior education, and with career goals focused on either professional practice or research and academia. There is also considerable flexibility within degree programs for students to shape the learning experience to match their own interests and aspirations.

The table below summarizes our degree programs. For detailed information about program requirements and eligibility, please scroll down the page.

*MPH degrees in clinical effectiveness or quantitative methods prepare graduates for a variety of careers, including academic medicine.

Before applying, please be sure to check the eligibility and testing requirements specific to the program or field of study you wish to enter, as these may differ from the general information provided on this page.

Demonstrated excellence in written and spoken English, plus strong verbal and quantitative aptitudes are prerequisites for all degree programs.

Professional Degrees

Requires one of the following: (a) A prior doctoral degree–for example MD, DO, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or non-US equivalent); (b) A master’s degree in a health-related field (for example, MSN, MSW, MBA) plus two years of relevant health experience; or (c) A bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of relevant health experience. Specific admissions requirements vary for certain fields of study within the MPH 45-credit program. Please review the eligibility requirements within your desired field of study carefully.

Requires a bachelor’s degree plus two or more years of relevant health experience. Specific admissions requirements vary for certain fields of study within the MPH 65-credit program. Please review the eligibility requirements within your desired field of study carefully.

Requires a prior doctoral degree—for example, MD, DO, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or non-US equivalent). Also eligible to apply are those with a master’s degree in a health-related field (for example, MSN, MSW, MBA) plus three years of relevant experience. Current MD and DO students are not eligible to enroll in the MPH in Epidemiology (online / on-campus).

Requires prior bachelor’s degree or non-U.S. equivalent in one of the mathematical sciences or an allied field (for example, biology, psychology, or economics). The 60-credit master of science is offered in biostatistics.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in advanced-level biology and chemistry (including organic chemistry) as well as physics and calculus appropriate for the mastery of diverse fields of biology. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

All candidates must have a strong background in mathematics with college-level coursework successfully completed through multivariable calculus and at least one semester of linear algebra, as well as knowledge of at least one computer programming language. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Candidates with a record of success in undergraduate study and strong interest or experience in health policy are eligible to apply. Although student backgrounds vary and a previous graduate degree is not required, most successful applicants have a prior master’s degree and/or relevant work experience in the field of health policy.

Any candidate with a distinguished undergraduate record and a demonstrated enthusiasm for the rigorous pursuit of scientific public health knowledge is encouraged to apply. Although a previous graduate degree is not required, you should have successfully completed coursework in introductory statistics or quantitative methods. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Summer-Only Degree Options

Open only to physicians who have completed their residency, have the financial sponsorship of their home hospital or university, and have completed the program in clinical effectiveness, a joint program of the Harvard Chan School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Students may apply concurrently to the program in clinical effectiveness and the MPH-45 in clinical effectiveness.

Requires a medical degree or master’s-level background in a relevant discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, or related social and computational sciences)

Please note: Current degree candidates at the Harvard Chan School and individuals who have applied to a degree program at the Harvard Chan School for the fall will be contacted directly in the spring with information on how to apply for summer courses.